Food Safety Management Systems

Over recent decades the changes in our eating habits along with more stringent government regulations and requirements have resulted in new food handling, preparation, storage and production practices. Food safety audits ensure these practices are consistently carried out, and that your system for addressing food safety considerations is working. As businesses raise their expectations of suppliers all along the food supply chain from the farm to the table, the need for a consistent approach to food safety management is critical.

Whether you are in food production, storage, packaging or preparation, a comprehensive food safety management system is critical to the success of your food and beverage business. Beyond basic food regulations and acceptable workplace practice, you need contingency plans for potential crises such as product recalls or foodborne illness outbreaks.

At SAI Global, we can help you create a consistent overall food safety management system incorporating all of the latest government mandated regulations, such as International Standards, as well as voluntary and industry schemes.

Food Safety Management programs that we audit and verify include:

FSSC/FS 22000 (Food Safety System Certification standard), is the latest certification scheme for food manufacturers. The scheme is based on the integration of ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems standard and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220. Supported by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA), FS 22000 has been fully approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

ISO 22000 takes a whole chain approach to food safety, providing a standard that isn't just for food processors, but goes all the way from the farm to the fork including packaging and ingredient suppliers, caterers, storage & distribution facilities, chemical and machinery manufacturers and can be applied to primary producers such as farms.

BRC BRC Global Standards, the world’s first GFSI-recognized standard, is one of the choices for retailers worldwide looking for confidence from food suppliers.

SQF is one of the world's leading food safety and quality management systems, designed to meet the needs of retailers and suppliers worldwide. The Program provides independent certification that a supplier's food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a risk management system that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards related to food safety throughout the food supply chain.

IFS International Food Standard is a quality and food safety standard for retailer (and wholesaler) branded food products, which is intended to assess suppliers' food safety and quality systems, with a uniform approach that harmonizes the elements of each.

GFSI: Under the umbrella of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), 7 major retailers have come to a common acceptance of four GFSI benchmarked food safety schemes.

GlobalGAP was introduced by FoodPLUS GmbH, derivative of GLOBALGAP, to raise standards in the production of fresh fruit and vegetables. Certification to the Standard ensures a level playing field in terms of food safety and quality, and proves that growers are prepared to constantly improve systems to raise standards.

GMA-SAFE created by leading food industry quality assurance professionals and members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, it offers the most comprehensive food protection evaluation available, consisting of six industry specific Assessments (Food Protection, Primary Packaging, Aseptic, Warehouse/ Distribution, Spice and Dairy) plus a shorter, but still thorough, SAFE Express Assessment.